When asked why she didn't want to leave the house, Hannon said, "My parents built it in '89, and it's all I have left of them."

In fact, much to the dismay of fire officials, Wrightwood remains open for business. The local sandwich shop and bakery fed firefighters and neighbors like Steve Bell.

"If it comes into this village, it's going to burn like matchsticks," he said.

And that's what concerns emergency crews most.

"We're seeing extreme fire behavior. We're seeing spotting up to half a mile, and if there's public that are trying to come out or that are blocking the roads, it makes a very hazardous situation, as well as potential entrapment," said Jake Rodriguez of the U.S. Forest Service.

Bell and Dan Pavlock say they have been through this drill before, and they have no plans to evacuate just yet.

"It's not threatening enough for me yet," Pavlock said. "My family thinks so, but I don't."